3. 4.  M^-^-^ 


PRINCETON,     N.    J. 

Sc-eliv::    . 
Shelf. Nttmbcv. 


SUGGESTIONS 


VINDICATION  OF  SUNDAY-SCHOOLS, 


BUT  MORE  ESPECIALLY  FOR  THE  IMPROVEMENT 


SUNDAY-SCHOOL  BOOKS, 


ENLARGEMENT  OF  THE  PLAN  OF  INSTRUCTION. 


BY   ARCHIBALD   ALEXANDER,   D.  D. 

PROFESSOR  OF  DIDACTIC  AND  POLEMIC  THEOLOGY  IN  THE   THEOLOGICAL  S£1IINART 
AT  PHINCETON,  NEW  JEBSET. 


1829. 


SUGGESTIONS 


IN 


VINDICATION  OF  SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 


The  importance  of  the  general  diffusion  of  religious  know- 
ledge, seems  now  to  be  universally  admitted.  No  longer  is  it 
pretended,  that  ignorance  is  the  mother  of  devotion;  or  that 
real  knowledge  can  be  injurious  to  any  portion  of  the  commu- 
nity. Experience  teaches,  that  the  more  ignorant  men  are,  the 
more  liable  are  they  to  be  hurried  into  acts  of  violence  and  ex- 
cess; or  to  be  seduced  into  vice  by  the  persuasions  and  example  of 
the  wicked.  Most  malefactors,  who  are  condemned  by  the  laws 
of  the  country,  are  exceedingly  ignorant  of  religious  truth:  the 
mob,  often  influenced  and  led  on  to  acts  of  shocking  outrage, 
is  every  where  composed  of  the  least  informed  of  the  people. 
An  ignorant  multitude  is  always  liable  to  be  misled  by  design- 
ing demagogues,  or  seduced  by  artful  impostors.  A  regard  to 
character,  and  a  respect  for  tlie  opinions  of  others,  is  greatly 
strengthened  by  an  increase  of  knowledge,  and  this  is  one  of 
the  strongest  barriers  against  infamous  vice.  Conscience,  the 
most  powerful  of  restraints,  possesses  force  in  proportion  to  the 
light  of  truth  in  the  mind.  Superstition  may,  indeed,  be  pro- 
moted by  ignorance,  but  true  religion,  never.  Fanaticism  also 
is  closely  allied  to  ignorance,  but  the  most  effectual  remedy 
against  enthusiasm,  is  genuine  piety.  Skepticism,  it  is  true,  is 
often  associated  with  a  considerable  extent  of  knowledge;  but 
the  cure  of  infidelity  must  be  found  in  a  correct  acquaintance 
with  the  truth;  and  the  best  preventive  of  this  evil  is,  early 
religious  instruction.  It  cannot  be  doubted,  that  the  manners 
of  men  are  polished  hy  education.  Where  do  you  find  man- 
ners the  most  sordid  and  brutal,  but  among  those  who  have 
never  been  instructed?     Ferocious  passions  naturally  spring  up 


in  minds  entirely  uncultivated.  And  it  need  not  be  feared  that 
instruction  will  render  the  poor  more  miserable,  by  making 
them  more  sensible  of  their  humble  condition.  Sound  religious 
knowledge  will  teach  them,  that  happiness  may  be  enjoyed  as 
fully  in  a  cottage  as  in  a  palace;  that  contentment  with  our  con- 
dition is  the  duty  of  all;  and  that  want  and  affliction  furnish  a 
very  salutary  discipline,  by  which  faith  is  tried,  virtue  improv- 
ed, and  the  soul  prepared  for  a  better  world.  The  discontented, 
envious  poor,  are  not  commonly  those  who  have  been  religiously 
educated,  but  the  ignorant  and  profligate.  It  can  admit  of  no 
doubt,  therefore,  that  the  diffusion  of  knowledge,  and  especially 
of  religious  knowledge,  among  all  classes  of  people,  is  a  thing 
to  be  desired;  and  that  no  pains  and  labour  can  be  considered 
too  great,  which  are  the  means  of  accomplishing  this  end. 

But  how  this  can  be  most  successfully  eflected,  is  a  question 
which  demands  the  serious  consideration  of  every  friend  of  man. 
God  has,  indeed,  appointed  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  as  the 
great  instrument  of  the  instruction  and  moral  reformation  of 
men,  and  nothing  should  be  allowed  to  supersede  this;  for  God 
is  wiser  than  man;  and  will,  moreover,  honour  and  bless  his 
own  institutions.  Let  it  be  admitted,  then,  that  the  faithful 
preaching  of  the  gospel  is  the  great  means  to  which  all  others 
should  be  subordinate.  But  God  has  also  directed  Christians  to 
give  mutual  instruction  to  one  another,  and  "to  hold  forth  the 
word  of  life"  to  those  who  are  in  darkness.  Private  instruc- 
tion is  as  much  authorized  as  public  preaching;  and,  in  its  place, 
is  as  necessary.  Indeed,  without  private  instruction,  public 
preaching  will  be  in  a  great  measure  useless.  One  who  is  to- 
tally uneducated,  cannot  understand  the  purport  and  connexion 
of  a  sermon.  The  people  must,  by  some  means,  be  prepared 
by  elementary  education,  to  profit  by  the  public  teaching  of  the 
church;  and  the  want  of  this  elementary  knowledge,  is  one 
great  reason  why  so  many  hear  to  so  little  profit.  They  hear, 
but  they  understand  not;  and  thus  the  good  seed  is  lost.  This 
preparatory  instruction  ought  to  be  given  in  every  family;  but 
alas!  I  need  not  say  how  commonly  this  is  neglected,  or  so  im- 
perfectly attended  to,  that  our  youth  are,  in  many  places,  grow- 
ing up  in  shameful  and  dangerous  ignorance.     But  if  parents 


and  masters  will  not  perform  their  duty  in  this  respect,  can  no 
remedy  be  devised?  can  no  substitute  be  proposed?  Yes;  God, 
in  his  kind  providence,  has  directed  the  attention  of  his  church 
to  a  remedy  which  may  be  considered  effectual,  if  it  be  dili- 
gently and  universally  used.  This  is  the  SUNDAY  SCHOOL 
system  of  instruction.  Although  this  method  of  teaching  the 
young  and  ignorant  is  so  simple,  yet  it  deserves  to  be  ranked 
second,  to  no  discovery  of  our  age.  I  do  not  know  that  the 
beneficence  of  providence  has  been  more  manifest  in  any  thing 
which  has  occurred  in  our  day,  than  in  the  general  institution 
of  Sunday-schools.  Other  benevolent  institutions  provide  the 
means  of  religious  instruction;  but  the  Sunday-school  makes 
the  application  of  them.  Indeed  all  others  require  this  for 
their  successful  operation.  Bibles  and  tracts  cannot  be  useful 
to  those  who  cannot  read;  but  in  these  humble  seminaries  the 
ignorant  are*  taught  to  read.  Pious  youth  are  wanted  to  be 
educated  for  pastors  and  missionaries;  and  where  will  you  go 
to  find  them,  but  to  the  Sunday-schools?  Here  will  often  be 
seen  the  first  buddings  of  that  piety,  which  expands  in  the  per- 
formance of  faithful  missionary  labour  in  some  heathen  land. 
A  large  majority  of  the  missionaries  now  in  the  field,  were  nur- 
tured in  Sunday-schools.  Here  will  be  sown,  in  many  a  heart, 
the  precious  seed  which  will  germinate  in  a  thousand  bene- 
volent efforts,  and  bring  forth  fruit  unto  eternal  life.  While 
the  civilian  is  earnestly  employed  in  devising  plans  for  prisons, 
and  dungeons  for  solitary  confinement,  let  it  be  the  noble  object 
of  the  patrons  of  Sunday-scliools,  to  render  all  such  institutions, 
if  possible,  unnecessary.  And  this  is  not  a  vain  hope,  if  all  the 
children  in  the  country  could  be  brought  under  the  regular  in- 
fluence of  this  mode  of  instruction.  Scarce  any  of  those  taught 
in  these  schools  have  ever  been  disgraced  by  a  condemnation 
for  crime. 

We  are,  as  the  voice  of  experience  teaches,  never  less  liable 
to  lose  the  fruit  of  our  labour,  than  when  we  instil  religious 
instruction  into  the  susceptible  minds  of  children.  This  pre- 
cious seed  is  seldom  entirely  lost;  for  although  it  may  lie  long 
buried,  as  it  were,  under  the  dust,  it  may  spring  up  at  a  late  day, 
and  flourish  long  after  the  hand  that  sowed  it,  is  laid  in  the 


6 

grave.  Besides,  we  are  not  aware  how  much  positive  evil  is 
prevented  by  the  impressions  of  religious  truth  on  the  minds  of 
youth.  In  the  Sabbath-school  the  little  boy  is  taught  the  Ten 
Commandments;  it  is  moreover  inculcated  on  him,  that  God  is 
angry  with  the  wicked,  and  that  his  curse  will  follow  the  evil- 
doer. Also,  he  learns  there,  that  the  evil  of  sin  is  so  great, 
that  God's  own  Son  came  into  our  world,  and  died  on  the  cross, 
to  make  an  atonement  for  it.  In  his  Bible,  which  he  here  learns 
to  read,  he  finds  it  written,  that  "  the  loicked  shall  be  turned 
into  hellf^  and  that  the  ungodly  shall  not  inherit  eternal  life. 
Now,  when  this  boy  goes  into  the  world,  and  meets  with  disso- 
lute companions,  who  tempt  him  to  steal,  or  murder,  or  bear 
false  witness,  will  not  these  solemn  truths  which  he  has  learned 
at  school,  rush  upon  his  mind,  and  operate  as  strong  restraints 
to  preserve  him  from  the  commission  of  crimes,  under  the  power 
of  which  he  would  easily  fall,  were  it  not  for  these  salutary  im- 
pressions? 

Sunday-schools  were  originally  instituted  with  a  special  view 
to  those  unhappy  children,  who  through  the  ignorance,  or  pro- 
fligacy, or  carelessness  of  their  parents,  have  no  religious  in- 
struction; but  on  the  contrary,  are  brought  up  under  the  in- 
fluence of  evil  counsels  and  worse  examples;  and  such  children 
ought  still  to  be  considered  the  direct  object  of  these  institu- 
tions; but  it  has  been  found,  that  they  may  be  rendered  highly 
useful  to  children  of  every  description.  Often  it  happens,  that 
well  disposed  and  pious  parents  are  poorly  qualified  to  commu- 
nicate religious  instruction  to  their  own  children;  and  not  un- 
frequently,  children  are  more  attentive  to  lessons  of  morality 
and  religion  coming  from  others,  than  to  those  which  they  learn 
from  their  own  parents.  From  these  they  are  so  accustomed  to 
hear  advice  and  reproof,  that  they  are  very  apt  to  contract  a 
habit  of  heedlessness  when  admonished  by  them;  but  when  an- 
other, who  claims  no  authority  but  that  which  is  founded  on 
kindness,  speaks  affectionately  to  these  children,  they  are  mute 
with  attention,  and  seem  to  be  tenderly  affected  with  what  they 
hear  from  their  beloved  Sunday-school  teachers.  The  good  or- 
der and  solemnity  maintained  in  these  schools,  has  a  great  effect 
in  predisposing  the  youthful  mind  to  be  attentive  and  serious^ 


and  also  the  gentle  emulation  which  is  properly  excited,  gives 
a  spring  and  alacrity  to  the  spirits  which  is  favourable  to  im- 
provement. There  are  few  parents,  I  believe,  who  can  instruct 
their  own  children  as  well  as  they  may  be  taught  in  many  of 
our  Sabbath-schools. 

But  the  good  effect  of  this  institution  is  nearly  as  conspicu- 
ous, in  regard  to  the  teachers,  as  the  pupils.  It  has  been  long 
a  maxim,  that  to  know  a  thing  accurately,  the  best  method  is 
to  teach  it.  And  with  respect  to  religious  knowledge,  it  has 
ever  been  found  very  difficult  to  induce  people  generally,  whe- 
ther old  or  young,  to  give  such  patient  attention  to  divine 
truth,  as  to  become  well  acquainted  with  the  doctrines  and  pre- 
cepts of  the  Bible.  Now  this  difficulty  is  happily  obviated  in 
regard  to  the  teachers  in  our  Sunday-schools.  The  necessity 
which  they  are  under  of  teaching  the  lesson,  furnishes  a  motive 
sufficiently  strong,  to  induce  them  to  study  it  with  diligence, 
and  by  the  aid  of  all  the  helps  to  which  they  can  have  access. 
Thus  many  of  our  intelligent  young  people  are  actually  becom- 
ing accurate  Bible  theologians.  They  are  acquiring  divine 
knowledge,  in  that  way,  which  leads  them  thoroughly  to  under- 
stand what  they  learn,  and  to  fix  it  indelibly  in  the  memory. 
I  do  not  know  any  better  school  in  which  these  persons  could 
be  placed  for  their  own  improvement,  than  to  enjoy  the  privi- 
lege of  teaching  the  children  in  Sunday-schools.  The  advan- 
tages of  this  situation,  I  am  persuaded,  have  not  been  overrat- 
ed. The  good  resulting  from  this  benevolent  employment  has 
not  been  confined  to  mere  improvement  in  sacred  knowledge, 
but  in  many  instances,  has  issued  in  the  conversion  of  the  heart 
to  God.  There  can,  I  believe,  be  no  doubt,  but  that  a  larger 
proportion  of  Sunday-school  teachers,  have  become  truly  pious, 
within  a  few  years,  than  of  persons  of  any  other  class  or  de- 
scription. God  fulfils  his  own  gracious  promise,  that  they  that 
water  shall  themselves  be  watered.  The  benefits  derived  from 
these  blessed  institutions  to  teachers,  are,  themselves,  a  rich 
compensation  for  all  their  labour,  and  for  all  the  expenses  in- 
curred, in  keeping  them  up. 

But  Sunday-schools  have  not  only  been  beneficial,  in  a  high 
degree,  to  the  pupils,  and  the  teachers,  but  also  to  the  parents, 


8 

and  other  relatives,  of  the  children.  Many  parents  are  so  hos- 
tile to  religion  and  to  religious  men,  that  they  can  scarcely  be 
approached,  in  any  other  way,  than  through  their  children. 
All  such  persons  view  religion,  distorted  and  deformed,  through 
a  medium  of  dense  prejudice;  but  when  their  children  repeat 
their  lessons  in  their  hearing,  and  read  to  them  from  the  sacred 
Scriptures,  new  light  often  darts  into  their  minds,  and  speedily 
a  great  change  takes  place  in  their  sentiments.  Sometimes, 
also,  ignorant  or  profligate  parents  will  accompany  their  chil- 
dren to  a  Sabbath-school,  who  can  by  no  other  means  be  induced 
to  enter  the  walls  of  a  church.  When  there,  their  attention  is 
rivetted,  while  they  listen  to  the  answers  of  their  own  children; 
and  thus  the  truth  finds  access  to  minds  long  estranged  from 
God,  and  deeply  buried  in  ignorance. 

But  it  is  not  the  ignorant  and  vicious  parent  only,  that  de- 
rives benefit  through  the  attendance  of  his  children  at  Sunday- 
schools;  many  well-informed  and  respectable  people  are  led  by 
the  inquiries  of  their  children,  to  search  after  many  things 
which  they  never  knew  before,  or  had  forgotten.  In  families 
where  much  attention  is  paid  to  the  lesson  for  the  week,  all 
hands  are  set  to  work  to  find  out  appropriate  answers  to  the 
questions.  Commentaries  are  consulted,  and  I  have  no  doubt, 
that,  in  many  cases,  the  exercises  of  the  Sunday-schools  have 
been  the  means  of  bringing  these  valuable  books  into  families, 
where  they  would  not  otherwise  have  been  found.  And  it  is 
much  to  be  desired,  that  we  had  a  commentary,  sound  and  con- 
cise, evangelical  and  practical,  adapted  to  Sunday-schools.  If 
such  a  book  were  placed  in  every  family  from  which  children 
come,  how  extensively  would  Bible  knowledge  be  difi'used  in 
a  short  time?* 

It  may ,  moreover, be  mentioned  as  one  of  the  minor  advantages 
of  Sunday-schools,  that  they  promote  neatness  and  decency  of 
dress  and  personal  appearance,among  the  poor.  The  moral, pious, 
and  industrious  poor  are  generally  remarkable  for  cleanliness, 
and  for  being  tidy  in  their  dress,  when  they  go  out  from  home: 
but  the  idle,  intemperate,  and  profligate,  are  usually  disgustingly 

*  It  is  understood  that  such  a  work  is  in  the  course  of  preparation. 


filthy;  and  their  children  are  squalid  in  their  whole  appearance* 
Now,  how  close  the  connexion  is  between  neatness,  and  purity 
of  mind,  I  shall  not  attempt  to  determine;  but  that  every  step 
in  civilization  is  favourable  to  virtue  and  religion,  there  is  no 
room  to  doubt:  and  whatever  will  have  the  effect  of  inducing 
parents  to  exercise  some  care  and  industry,  in  attending  to  the 
personal  appearance  of  their  children,  so  as  to  put  them  into 
decent  trim,  has,  in  my  opinion,  a  very  salutary  result. 

But  my  object  in  this  essay,  is  not,  merely  to  descant  on  the 
utility  of  Sunday-schools:  I  wish  to  enter  somewhat  particularly 
into  the  principles  on  which  these  institutions  should  be  con- 
ducted; and  the  improvements,  which  may,  without  difficulty, 
be  engrafted  on  the  existing  system.  Not,  that  I  mean  to  give 
any  precepts,  relative  to  the  minute  regulations  of  these  insti- 
tutions. My  experience  does  not  enable  me  to  judge,  or  direct 
any  thing  on  this  subject:  and  it  is  one  on  which  teachers  and 
superintendents  are  better  capable  of  directing,  than  other  per- 
sons. But  although  I  have  had  no  experience  in  the  manage- 
ment of  Sunday-schools,  I  have  not  been  an  uninterested  spec- 
tator of  their  origin  and  rapid  progress;  and  the  more  I  reflect 
upon  the  subject,  the  more  important  does  the  institution  appear. 
1  confess,  therefore,  that  I  feel  no  small  solicitude,  that  nothing 
should  occur,  which  would  have  a  tendency  to  retard  its  ad- 
vancement, or  prevent  it  from  attaining  to  that  perfection  and 
accomplishing  that  measure  of  good,  of  which  the  system  is 
capable.  My  zeal  in  the  cause  of  Sunday-schools,  therefore, 
together  with  the  request  of  some  respected  persons  who  are 
devoted  to  this  object,  must  be  my  apology,  for  offering  my 
opinions,  freely,  to  the  public,  on  this  interesting  subject. 

1.  I  have  observed,  with  pleasure,  that  the  system  of  Sunday- 
school  benevolence,  in  its  most  prominent  features,  is  catholic. 
It  willingly  embraces  all  who  receive  the  Bible,  and  are  willing 
to  use  it.  It  has,  therefore,  been  considered  a  desirable  ob- 
ject, to  combine  as  many  religious  denominations,  in  this  enter- 
prise, as  possible;  and  it  is  not  perceived,  that  with  prudent 
management,  there  can  exist  any  ground  of  unpleasant  collision. 
The  American  Sunday-School  Union,  as  a  society,  professes 
no  creed  but  the  Bible;  although  the  individuals  who  are  con- 

B 


10 

cerned  in  its  management,  belong  to  several  distinct  denomina- 
tions;  to  the  forms  and  peculiar  opinions  of  which  respectively, 
they  adhere.  But,  in  conducting  Sunday-schools,  they  know 
no  sect  but  Christianity;  no  creed  but  the  Bible. 

The  object  of  Sunday-schools,  is,  to  communicate  that  know- 
ledge which  is  common  to  all  who  hold  the  fundamentals  of 
Christianity.  There  is,  undoubtedly,  in  our  time,  some  ap- 
proach to  the  spirit  of  unity  and  Catholicism;  and,  certainly,  this 
spirit,  when  genuine,  should  be  cherished,  as  pertaining  to  the 
gospel  of  Christ.  In  whatever  institutions,  therefore,  chris- 
tians of  different  denominations  can  combine  tlieir  benevolent 
and  pious  efforts,  with  an  increase  of  strength,  and  without 
compromising  their  peculiar  tenets,  they  ought  to  unite;  and  it 
partakes  of  the  nature  of  schism,  to  break  this  union,  on  ac- 
count of  narrow  sectarian  feelings  and  interests.  While  schemes 
of  close  connexion  between  those  who  differ  in  matters  viewed 
to  be  of  some  importance  to  the  purity  of  faith  and  worship, 
are  only  adapted  to  produce  collision,  and  greater  alienation 
than  before  existed;  it  is  delightful  to  see  those,  who  have  long 
been  too  far  apart,  drawn  near  together,  by  the  power  of  their 
mutual  love  to  Christ,  and  by  the  sweet  bands  of  brotherly  love. 
Why  should  those  who  are  so  soon  to  inhabit  one  house  in 
heaven,  treat  each  other  as  aliens  and  enemies?  or,  spend  their 
time  in  building  up  high  walls  of  separation?  Let  each  section 
of  the  church  catholic,  maintain,  with  becoming  firmness  and 
zeal,  what  they  honestly  believe  to  be  the  truth  of  God;  and  no 
imputation  of  bigotry  can  justly  be  charged  upon  them,  while 
they  pursue  this  course:  but,  as  the  points  of  difference  between 
evangelical  Christians  are  trivial,  compared  with  the  important 
and  fundamental  truths  in  which  they  agree,  brotherly  kindness 
ought  not  to  be  interrupted  on  account  of  their  differences;  and 
whenever  any  occasion  offers,  on  which  they  can  cordially  unite 
their  efforts,  it  is  manifestly  their  duty  to  receive  one  another 
as  Christ  has  received  them;  and  to  show  to  a  world  which  is 
ever  cavilling  on  account  of  the  dissentions  of  christians,  that 
real  christians  can  love  one  another  still,  although  partially  se- 
parated by  names  and  forms. 


11 

It  is  manifest,  from  an  examination  of  the  constitution  of  the 
Sunday-School  Union,  that  all  its  articles  are  catholic:  no  pre- 
ference is  there  shown  to  any  one  denomination.  And  it  is 
equally  evident,  from  a  consideration  of  the  character  of  the 
gentlemen  who  compose  the  board  of  Managers,  that  no  par- 
tiality has  been  exhibited.  It  would  scarcely  be  possible  to 
form  a  board,  with  a  more  equal  respect  to  the  several  denomi- 
nations concerned  in  this  enterprise;  and,  as  far  as  is  known  to 
me,  the  same  impartiality  is  manifest  in  the  proceedings  of  the 
board,  both  in  the  selection  of  their  officers  and  committees, 
and  in  the  books  selected  for  publication. 

I  have  been  led  to  make  these  remarks,  because  it  has  been 
objected,  by  some,  to  this  society,  that  while  it  professes  ca- 
tholic principles,  it  is,  in  fact,  merely  an  instrument  for  build- 
ing up  one  denomination.  But  how  is  this  possible,  when  no 
one  denomination  has  a  majority  in  the  board?  Will  all  parties, 
retaining  their  peculiar  sentiments  and  attachments,  concur,  in 
promoting  the  separate  interests  of  a  society  different  from  their 
own?  And  I  would  ask  of  those  who  make  this  objection,  what 
single  act  of  the  American  Sunday-School  Union  has  even  the 
semblance  of  partiality  for  a  particular  sect?  I  am  verily  per- 
suaded that  no  such  act  can  be  pointed  out.  It  may  be  true, 
indeed,  that  some  denominations  enter  more  zealously  and  ge- 
nerally into  the  enterprize  than  others,  but  this  argues  no  fault 
in  the  constitution,  or  partiality  in  the  board;  or  in  their  agents. 
The  remedy  is — and  it  would  be  a  most  desirable  one — that  all 
denominations  emulate  each  other  in  zeal  and  energy,  in  pro- 
moting Sunday-schools,  in  their  respective  churches.  Here  is 
a  wide  field  for  a  noble,  a  holy  competition.  But  surely,  there 
exists  no  ground  of  complaint,  and  no  reason  for  objection  to 
the  constitution  or  administration  of  the  Society. 

2.  But  while  the  American  Sunday-School  Union  have  been 
scrupulously  careful  to  maintain  impartiality,  as  it  relates  to 
the  several  religious  denominations  united  in  this  scheme  of 
benevolence;  it  is  probable,  that  they  have  not  been  sufficiently 
aware  of  another  objection,  which  has  recently  been  made  by 
some  warm  friends  of  the  institution.  It  is  alleged,  that  there 
is  danger,  lest  the  American  Union  should  establish  a  system  of 


12 

religious  instruction  every  where,  independent  of  the  regular 
and  authorized  pastors  of  the  church.  It  is  said,  that  their 
agents  penetrate  into  the  parishes  of  every  denomination,  and 
there  establish  their  schools  without  the  consent,  or  concur- 
rence of  ministers,  or  other  church-ofFicers;  and  that  by  this 
means,  the  religious  instruction  of  the  youth  is  likely  to  be 
taken  out  of  the  hands  of  those  to  whom,  according  to  the 
economy  of  Christ*s  house,  it  has  been  regularly  committed 
And,  moreover,  that  we  have  no  security  for  the  soundness  of 
the  doctrines  inculcated  by  the  teachers  of  a  society,  which  may 
propagate  just  what  opinions  it  pleases;  and  so  it  may  happen, 
that  the  children  of  a  parish  may,  in  the  Sunday-schools,  be 
taught  doctrines  directly  repugnant  to  those  held  by  the  minis- 
ter, and  by  the  church  to  which  he  belongs.  I  bring  forward 
this  objection  with  all  its  force,  that  its  weight  may  be  duly  ap- 
preciated by  the  Managers  of  the  Union. 

Now,  in  answer  to  this,  it  can  be  truly  stated,  that  the  Managers 
of  the  American  S,  S.  Union  have  ever  been  solicitous  to  obtain 
the  co-operation  of  the  clergy  in  their  respective  spheres  of  ac- 
tion and  influence;  and  they  have  not  only  invited  their  aid,  but 
have  even,  in  some  instances,  given  offence  to  some  clergymen 
by  one  of  their  standing  questions,  which  they  regularly  call 
upon  the  schools  under  their  care  to  answer;  which  is,  "  How 
far  are  the  ministers  engaged  in  promoting  the  schools?  Have 
you  taken  any  steps  to  interest  ministers  in  your  vicinity  to 
promote  Sunday-schools?"*  But  if  ministers,  generally,  have 
paid  little  or  no  attention  to  the  subject,  and  the  schools  have 
gone  forward  without  their  aid  or  inspection,  surely  the  blame 
does  not  lie  at  the  door  of  the  American  S.S.Union.  If  the  clergy 
of  the  different  denominations  will  not  take  hold  of  this  thing, 
and  give  it  a  direction  within  their  own  parishes  or  preaching 
districts,  it  is  impossible  for  the  American  S.  S.  Union  to  compel 
them  to  perform  their  duty.     And  if  the  minister  of  a  parish 

*  The  following  is  one  of  the  duties  enjoined  in  the  commission  which  the 
Managers  give  to  their  agents: — "It  will  be  your  special  duty  to. wait  on  all 
ministers  of  the  gospel,  and  make  known  particularly  to  them,  the  nature  and 
objects  of  your  mission,  and  use  your  influence  to  interest  them  in  promoting 
Sabbath- schools  in  their  respective  congregations,  towns,  and  counties." 


13 

will  not  come  forward  and  lend  his  aid  and  counsel,  must  the 
work  stop?  Must  the  Sunday-school  agent  make  no  effort  to  pro- 
vide for  the  instruction  of  those  who  are  willing  to  be  taught 
within  those  bounds?  Surely,  no  sincere  friend  to  the  rising  gene- 
ration would  affirm  this.  And  candour  compels  me  to  declare, 
that  when  at  the  late  meeting  of  the  Delegates  of  Auxiliaries  with 
the  Board,  in  Philadelphia,  this  subject  was  brought  up  and 
discussed,  the  Managers  discovered  every  disposition  to  adopt 
any  resolution,  or  take  any  measures,  which  would  have  the 
effect  of  enlisting  the  clergy  of  the  several  denominations,  cor- 
dially in  this  work:  and  when  a  resolution  was  proposed  and 
voted  by  the  Delegates  of  the  Auxiliaries,  to  urge  this  matter 
again  and  more  earnestly  on  the  pastors  and  other  church-offi- 
cers, it  received  the  decided  approbation  of  the  Board  of  Mana- 
gers of  the  American  Sunday-School  Union.  But  the  aspect 
of^  the  question  which  is  most  important  is,  not  who  have  been 
remiss  in  the  discharge  of  duty  in  time  past,  but  what  can  be 
now  done  to  avert  the  danger  and  prevent  the  evil  which  it  has 
been  seen  is  imminent.  In  observing  on  this  subject,  I  beg 
leave  respectfully  to  say  to  the  ministers  of  the  gospel  of  every 
denomination: — 

Dear  brethren,  I  scarcely  know  a  pastoral  duty  of  higher  re- 
sponsibility, than  to  lend  your  utmost  aid  and  influence  to  give 
efficiency  and  a  right  direction  to  Sunday-schools  within  the 
limits  of  your  parishes  and  your  vicinity.  You  have  known 
and  felt  how  difficult  or  rather  impossible  it  is,  for  one  man  to 
instruct  effectually  all  the  youth  of  a  large  parish.  If  you  should 
do  nothing  else,  it  would  still  be  imperfectly  done.  Under 
these  discouraging  prospects,  some  of  you  have  probably  been 
driven  almost  to  despair  of  effecting  any  thing;  while  others 
have  endeavoured,  by  occasional  catechising,  and  by  paying  an 
annual  pastoral  visit  to  the  families  under  your  care,  to  accom- 
plish what  seemed  practicable:  but  you  know,  that  unless  pa- 
rents, guardians,  and  masters  will  do  their  duty  faithfully,  in 
the  domestic  instruction  of  their  families,  these  occasional  ex- 
ercises nfever  can  be  effectual  to  feed  the  lambs  of  Christ's 
flock.  0!  how  much  would  many  of  our  fathers  in  the  minis- 
try have  given  for  a  half  a  dozen  faithful  co-adjutors  in  commu- 


14 

nicating  elementary  knowledge  to  the  young?  But  in  their 
time,  such  aid  could  not  have  been  obtained.  No  young  per- 
son, nor  scarcely  any  elderly  one,  could  have  been  persuaded 
to  become  teachers.  Such  a  thing  was  unknown  and  uncus- 
tomary, and  no  one  thought  of  it.  But,  now,  Providence 
has  provided  you  with  a  piece  of  moral  machinery,  which,  if 
rightly  directed,  will  be  of  as  much  avail  to  you,  as  the  labour- 
saving  machines  to  the  mechanic  in  our  extensive  manufactories. 
It  will  not  answer  for  you  to  leave  it  in  the  hands  of  others. 
They  may  direct  it  well,  or  they  may  not;  but  as  it  is  to  operate 
on  the  youth  of  your  charge,  for  whom  you  have  an  account  to 
give,  you  ought  yourself  to  attend  to  its  operation.  You  ought 
to  be  solicitously  attentive  to,  and  be  found  in  the  midst  of,  all 
Sabbath-Schools  within  your  own  charge — watching,  from  week 
to  week,  with  that  deep  interest  and  anxiety  which  you  cannot 
but  feel,  the  course  of  instruction — the  conduct  and  character  of 
teachers  and  scholars — and  the  progress  and  prospects  of  the 
school;  admonishing  in  love  and  pastoral  faithfulness  the  la- 
bourers who  may  seem  to  be  remiss — giving  encouragement  to 
the  faithful  and  a  word  of  exhortation  to  all.  Thus  you  will 
make  one  of  their  number, — you  will  be  intimately  acquainted 
and  connected  with  all  their  plans  and  proceedings,  and  may 
exercise  over  them  all  the  kind  care  and  salutary  influence 
which  belong  to  your  place  and  duty,  and  for  which  they  will 
return  kindness,  confidence,  and  gratitude.  It  is  this  faithful, 
constant,  official  inspection,  which  the  officers  and  managers  of 
the  American  Sunday-School  Union  greatly  desire  to  see  exer- 
cised over  their  schools  by  every  minister  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ; — they  feel  as  if  this  was  the  right  and  province  and 
duty  of  ministers,  and  they  have  often  mourned  over  the  dis- 
tance which  has  seemed  to  separate  the  chief  labourers  in  the 
vineyard  from  those  whose  design,  responsibility,  and  success  are 
so  nearly  allied  to  their  own.  Others  may  perform  the  laborious 
parts  of  the  service,  but  it  belongs  to  you,  and  it  behooves  you,  to 
inspect  these  schools,  and  see  that  nothing  is  inculcated  which  is 
contrary  to  sound  doctrine,and  that  no  spirit  of  wild  fanaticism  is 
introduced  by  ignorant  zealots.  As  a  watchman  on  the  walls  of 
Zion,  you  cannot,  you  must  not  remain  an  indifferent  spectator 


15 

of  this  powerful  system.  It  will  go  forward  whether  you  lend 
your  assistance  or  not;  but  it  is  your  incumbent  duty  to  give  it 
direction,  so  far  as  its  operation  affects  those  under  your  care. 
Why  is  it  that  some  of  you,  my  brethren,  have  so  little  dis- 
cerned the  signs  of  the  times,  as  not  to  perceive,  that  a  mightier 
moral  engine  has  not  been  set  in  operation  for  ages?  That  it 
affords  to  the  faithful  pastor  greater  facilities  for  the  instruction 
of  his  people  than  any  thing  before  discovered?  And  is  it  pos- 
sible that  any  of  you  have  paid  no  serious  attention  to  the  pro- 
gress of  Sunday-schools,  and  have  given  no  effectual  aid  to  their 
establishment  in  your  parishes?  or  that,  having  them  there,  you 
are  contented  that  they  may  take  their  course,  (and  whoever 
will,  may  have  the  superintence  of  their  Instruction?)  I  respect- 
fully ask  you,  who  have  hitherto  neglected  this  subject,  what 
you  could  desire  in  the  way  of  aid  to  your  arduous  pastoral  du- 
ties, more  convenient  and  effectual  than  Sabbath-schools  in  every 
district  of  your  congregation?  By  their  means  you  enjoy  the 
assistance  of  ten,  twenty,  thirty,  or  forty  persons,  every  Sab- 
bath, earnestly  and  diligently  engaged  in  giving  religious  in- 
struction to  the  children  of  your  charge;  and  giving  it  to  mul- 
titudes whom  your  instructions  would  never  have  reached.  And 
your  young  men  and  women,  instead  of  spending  the  Sabbath 
idly  or  unproiitably,  are  now,  many  of  them — if  Sunday-schools 
abound  with  you — in  a  train  of  useful  learning  and  improve- 
ment, which  will  every  year  be  rendering  them  more  capable 
of  being  useful  and  respectable  members  of  the  church,  and 
will  qualify  them  for  becoming  heads  of  families  with  a  good 
prospect  of  being  able  to  teach  them  the  way  of  life,  and  to 
bring  up  their  children  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the 
Lord.  I  am  acquainted  with  one  large  congregation,  where  the 
pastor,  until  lately,  neglected  Sabbath-schools,  and  they  lan- 
guished until  they  were  near  extinction;  but  now  he  feels  their 
importance,  and  devotes  himself  to  promote  their  prosperity, 
visiting  one  of  them  and  lecturing  to  children  and  parents 
every  Sabbath,  and  the  whole  aspect  of  this  congregation  is 
changed.  The  desire  of  learning  has  extended  itself  to  all  ages; 
and  there  is,  throughout  the  congregation,  a  lively  attention  and 
alacrity  in  relation  to  sacred  things,  which  is  very  different  from 


16 

the  apathy  and  lukewarmness  of  their  former  condition.  I  con- 
fess, I  do  not  see  how  Jiny  man  having  the  care  of  souls,  can 
reconcile  it  to  his  conscience,  or  how  he  will  answer  it  to  his 
Master,  if  he  continues  to  be  indifferent  to  this  important  con- 
cern. But  it  is  not  sufficient  that  you  approve  the  institution, 
and  speak  well  of  it,  and  give  free  consent  to  its  introduction 
into  your  parish:  much  more  than  this  is  incumbent  on  you,  and 
expected  from  you.  It  is  a  duty,  the  obligation  of  which  you 
cannot  evade,  to  give  your  personal  aid  and  counsel  to  carry  on 
this  important  work.  Many  ministers  begin  to  have  their  eyes 
opened  to  see  this  business  in  a  far  different  light  from  what 
they  formerly  did;  and  begin  to  look  upon  Sunday-schools  as 
the  most  important  auxiliaries  to  their  great  work  of  rescuing 
immortal  souls  from  everlasting  destruction:  and  I  hope  the 
time  is  at  hand,  when  every  clergyman  and  every  church-officer, 
will  be  found  taking  an  active  and  a  leading  part  in  the  affairs 
of  this  institution,  so  far  as  it  is  connected  with  their  respective 
churches. 

'  And,  here,  I  beg  leave  to  state,  that  the  American  Sunday- 
School  Union  prescribe  no  standard  of  doctrine  to  the  schools 
in  their  connexion.  Their  object  is  to  bring  their  scholars  to  a 
knowledge  of  the  Bible,  the  great  repository  of  all  religious 
truth.  The  Sunday-school  teacher  who  seeks  wisdom  from  on 
high,  and  draws  his  instructions  from  this  pure  fountain,  will 
not  be  likely  to  be  misled,  or  to  mislead  others,  in  any  matter 
of  importance.  But  it  behooves  the  pastors  of  the  churches  to 
see  to  it,  that  nothing  is  inculcated  on  the  youth  under  their 
charge,  which  is  inconsistent  with  that  form  of  doctrine  which 
he  himself  esteems  and  teaches  to  be  truth.  And  it  is  a  fact  too 
well  known  to  be  here  repeated,  that  the  catechisms  of  different 
evangelical  churches  have  been  frequently  and  willingly  used  as 
books  of  instruction,  whenever  this  has  been  requested  by  pa- 
rents, or  others  having  the  right  to  direct  the  religious  instruc- 
tion of  children.  And  if  this  long  approved  method  of  instruc- 
tion has  been  less  attended  to  than  its  importance  demands,  the 
reason  may  be  found  in  the  diversity  of  religious  denominations, 
which  are  frequently  mingled  in  the  same  school;  or,  where  this 
does  not  exist,  in  the  inattention  of  the  clergy  to  the  schools 


17 

^established  within  the  precincts  of  their  pastoral  charges.  Fol^j 
I  may  venture  to  affirm,  that  no  evangelical  pastor  will  ever 
meet  with  any  difficulty  in  having 'the  catechism  or  form  of 
doctrine  adopted  by  his  own  church,  inculcated  on  the  youth  of 
his  own  parish.  I  am,  at  this  time,  acquainted  with  a  large  and 
flourishing  Sunday-school,  containing  above  a  hundred  scholars, 
in  which  the  catechism  of  the  church  to  which  they  belong  is 
made  an  object  of  attention  and  instruction  on  one  Sabbath  in 
each  month.  But  in  schools  unconnected  with  the  pastoral 
charge  of  any  minister — of  which  there  are  many — the  super- 
intendents and  teachers  must  of  course  pursue  that  mode  of  re- 
ligious instruction  which  to  them  appears  best:  and  as  long  as 
all  the  books  of  instruction  used  in  Sunday-schools  are  pub- 
lished, and  may  be  examined  by  all  who  feel  an  interest  in  this 
subject,  there  can  be  no  danger  that  error  will  be  circulated  by 
means  of  this  institution. 

3.  Another  important  subject  connected  with  this  institution^ 
is  the  publication  and  circulation  of  books.  As  much  has  been 
said  of  late  respecting  the  character  of  the  books  issued  from 
the  Depository  of  the  American  S.  S.  Union,  I  will  take  the  liberty 
of  expressing  my  opinion  of  the  manner  in  which  this  depart- 
ment of  the  business  should  be  conducted. 

Although  the  preparation  of  books  was  not  originally  contem- 
plated as  a  part  of  the  Sunday-school  system;  yet,  in  the  pro- 
gress of  the  enterprize,  it  has  grown  up  to  an  importance  which 
is  fully  equal  to  that  of  any  other  department.  Indeed,  when 
we  reflect  upon  the  recent  origin  of  this  Institution,  and  upon 
the  smallness  and  obscurity  of  its  commencement,  we  cannot 
but  be  astonished  at  the  extent  of  its  operations  in  the  circula- 
tion of  books.  If  we  except  the  book  establishment  of  the  Me- 
thodist Episcopal  Church,  I  believe,  there  is  no  other  society  in 
this  country  which  supplies  so  large  a  portion  of  the  population 
with  its  reading.  And,  certainly,  they  who  select  and  distribute 
the  books  which  are  perused  and  studied  by  the  people,  and 
especially  by  the  young,  will  have  a  greater  influence  in  form- 
ing the  character  of  the  nation  than  any  other  persons,  let  them 
use  what  other  means  they  may. 

The  plan  of-  connecting  libraries'with  each  school,  and  esta- 

c 


18 

blishing  depositories  in  convenient  situations,  is  characterized 
by  wisdom.  It  has  long  been  a  desideratum  to  have  congrega- 
tional libraries  for  the  use  of  the  people;  and,  frequently,  attempts 
have  been  made  to  establish  them;  but  with  very  little  success. 
The  people  have  not  taken  a  lively  interest  in  these  institutions, 
and  where  they  exist,  do  not,  generally,  make  much  use  of  the 
books.  The  reason  of  this  seems  to  be,  that  the  authors  selected 
for  such  libraries,  though  valuable,  are  not  suited  to  the  taste, 
nor  level  to  the  capacity  of  common  people.  Few  have  leisure 
or  inclination  to  go  through  ponderous  volumes,  or  to  peruse 
books  of  deep  reasoning,  and  replete  with  learning.  The  ex- 
periment made  by  the  American  Sunday-School  Union,  evinces^ 
that  small  books,  written  in  a  lively  style,  and  rendered  interest- 
ing by  pleasant  narratives,  are  the  kind  of  reading  which  is 
adapted  to  the  taste  of  a  large  part  of  our  adult  as  well  as  youth- 
ful population.  For,  although  the  libraries  are  intended  par- 
ticularly for  the  use  of  the  children,  yet  it  is  found,  that  when 
the  books  are*brought  into  the  families  to  which  the  scholars  be- 
long,  they  are  read  with  avidity  by  persons  of  all  ages.  By  this 
means,  the  books  published  and  distributed  into  every  nook  and 
corner  of  the  United  States,  by  the  A  merican  Sunday-School 
Union,  are  producing  a  great  effect  on  a  vast  multitude  of  peo- 
ple. The  management  of  this  business  has  been  committed,  by 
the  Board  of  Managers,  into  the  hands  of  a  publishing  commit- 
tee, who  have,  without  the  least  prospect  of  personal  emolu- 
ment, devoted  to  it  their  time  and  attention,  with  an  untiring 
assiduity,  which  demands  the  gratitude  of  all  who  are  friendly 
to  the  universal  diffusion  of  knowledge.  The  caution  exercised 
by  this  committee  will  be  manifest,  when  it  is  understood  that 
no  work  is  sent  to  the  press  to  which  any  of  the  committee  ob- 
jects. The  demand  for  books,  however,  has  increased  so  rapidly, 
and  the  call  for  variety,  as  well  as  numbers,  has  been  so  urgent 
and  incessant,  that  it  may  not  have  been  practicable  for  the  pub- 
lishing committee,  in  every  instance,  to  furnish  the  most  suita- 
ble works.  They  have  done^,  perhaps,  the  best  that  could  be 
done  in  their  circumstances;  and  while  they  have  merited  our 
warmest  commendation  for  their  disinterested  labours,  there 
seems  to  be  no  just  ground  for  censure,  because  they  have  not 


19 

done  what  it  was  impossible  to  do.  I  think  it  necessary  to  en- 
ter thus  far  into  a  vindication  of  the  publishing  committee,  since 
much  has  been  said  respecting  the  character  of  the  books  pub- 
lished, under  their  inspection;  and  complaints  are  still  abroad  on 
this  subject.  But  while  I  would  cheerfully  award  unqualified 
commendation  to  this  respectable  committee,  I  do  not  mean  to 
say,  that  they  have  fallen  into  no  mistakes,  in  managing  this  mo- 
mentous concern.  But  it  should  be  kept  in  mind,  by  those  in- 
clined to  find  fault,  that  this  responsible  business  has  devolved 
upon  them  unsought  and  unexpected.  Indeed,  there  is  something 
wonderful  in  the  rapid  increase  of  every  thing  connected  with 
this  Institution.  The  persons  who  now  have  the  management 
of  this  great  concern,  began  their  labours  in  obscurity,  neither 
desiring  nor  seeking  the  notice  of  the  world;  but  God  has  abun- 
dantly prospered  their  humble  and  disinterested  efforts;  so  that 
now  they  find  themselves,  without  having  aspired  to  it,  placed 
at  the  head  of  one  of  the  most  useful  institutions  in  the  world. 
They  feel  their  responsibility  to  be  great  beyond  expression, 
and  are  deeply  sensible,  I  trust,  of  their  need  of  wisdom  from 
on  high;  and,  at  the  same  time,  will  be  thankful  for  any  sug- 
gestions which  the  friends  of  the  cause  are  disposed  to  make  to 
aid  them  in  their  arduous  work.  I  am  not  apprehensive,  there- 
fore, of  giving  any  offence  to  the  Board,  or  their  committee  by 
the  freedom  of  my  remarks. 

The  principal  objection  in  regard  to  the  books  issued  from 
the  Depository  is,  that,  too  generally,  they  were  of  a  light  and 
fictitious  character.  Now,  I  am  not  sufficiently  conversant  with 
all  the  publications  of  the  Union  to  judge  correctly  on  this  sub- 
ject, but  I  am  inclined  to  believe,  that  there  has  existed  a  mis- 
take on  this  point.  Too  many  fictitious  stories,  and  some  of 
them  containing  few  lessons  of  moral  or  religious  instruction, 
have  been  put  into  circulation.  The  tendency  of  this  is  to 
vitiate  the  taste  of  the  rising  generation,  so  that  while  they  are 
greedy  after  fiction,  they  will  have  no  appetite  for  solid,  instruc- 
tive reading.  And,  I  believe,  the  committee  themselves  have 
for  some  time  been  turning  their  attention  to  works  of  more 
substantial  value. 

But,  it  is  evident  that  no  course  which  can  be  pursued  in  thii 


20 

business,  will  unite  the  suffrages  of  all  good  people;  for  some 
object  to  all  fictitious  writings  as  having  in  the  main  a  bad  ten- 
dency, and  as  incompatible  with  the  simplicity  and  sincerity  of 
the  Christian  religion.  It  seems  necessary,  therefore,  to  say  a 
few  words  on  this  subject; — but  it  would  require  a  volume  ta 
discuss  it  fully. 

I  would,  then,  observe,  that  we  cannot  proscribe  all  writings 
in  which  fictitious  personages  are  introduced,  without  passing  a 
sentence  of  condemnation  on  various  parts  of  Sacred  Scripture, 
and  particularly  on  the  parables  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
These  must  fall  under  the  denomination  of  fictitious  discourses; 
or  discourses  in  which  unreal  personages  are  introduced,  and  re- 
presented as  speaking  and  acting,  that  by  this  means  important 
truth  might  be  conveyed  to  the  minds  of  men,  in  such  a  manner 
as  to  be  understood,  to  obviate  prejudice  and  to  create  interest. 
The  Song  of  Solomon,  also,  a  canonical  book  of  Scripture,  is 
from  the  beginning  to  the  end  a  spiritual  allegory.  This  method 
of  instruction  seems  also  to  be  dictated  by  nature;  for  fables  or 
apologues  and  allegories,  are  in  use  among  all  nations;  and  the 
severest  moralists  have  never  supposed  that  there  was  any  thing 
inconsistent  with  the  strictest  regard  to  truth  in  the  introduction 
of  fictitious  personages:  for  where  there  is  no  purpose  to  deceive, 
and  where  no  one  is  deceived,  there  can  be  no  violation  of  truth 
and  sincerity.  Words  are  but  the  signs  of  our  ideas,  and  it  mat- 
ters not  what  language  we  use,  if  it  fairly  conveys  our  true 
meaning  to  others.  When  a  man  employs  words  ironically,  the 
literal  sense  is  absolutely  false  if  the  irony  be  just;  and  yet  the 
meaning  of  the  person  is  as  clear,  and  more  forcible,  than  if  the 
truth  were  simply  uttered. 

Again, — a  fictitious  narrative,  used  as  a  vehicle  for  important 
moral  instruction,  bears  a  strong  analogy  to  the  use  of  general 
terms  in  common  speech.  We  know,  that  all  things  in  existence 
are  particular  or  individual  things;  but  finding  a  great  many  in- 
dividuals which  bear  a  striking:  resemblance  to  each  other,  we 
give  a  common  name  to  the  whole.  In  like  manner,  there  are 
many  individual  persons  of  similar  character;  there  are  many 
courses  of  conduct,  which,  with  their  causes  and  attendant  cir- 
cumstances, are  of  usual  occurrence;  and  it  is  important  to  col- 


21 

lect  these  features  of  human  life,  and  so  embody  them,  that  they 
may  be  useful  to  those  who  are  yet  without  experience.  Now, 
this  may  be  done  in  several  ways,  as  by  general  maxims  or 
aphorisms;  by  narratives  of  real  facts;  or  connecting  those  com- 
mon matters  of  observation  and  experience  with  fictitious  per- 
sonages, which,  as  it  leaves  the  moral  instructer  at  liberty  in  the 
selection  of  circumstances,  possesses  some  advantages  over  the 
simple  narrative  of  facts  in  the  order,  and  with  the  circumstances, 
in  which  they  occur.  When,  however,  the  picture  of  human 
manners  or  character  is  fairly  taken  from  nature,  it  is,  what  may 
with  propriety  be  called,  general  history;  it  is  a  representation 
of  what  often  actually  happens,  without  the  peculiar  circum- 
stances of  any  single  case;  and  the  difference  between  a  judi- 
ciously constructed  fictitious  narrative,  intended  to  convey  mo- 
ral instruction,  and  real  history,  is  no  greater  than  between  the 

f  '• 'u^e  of  a  proper  name  and  a  common  appellative,  when  we  speak 
of  any  individual.  In  this  way  much  might  be  taught,  which,  in 
common,  is  learned  by  painful  experience.  And  this  mode  of  in- 
struction being  capable  of  being  rendered  highly  interesting  to 
the  young  especially,  ought  not  to  be  relinquished,  or  given  up 
to  those  who  will  employ  it  for  the  mere  indulgence  of  fancy 
and  feeling,  and  frequentl)'^  to  the  real  injury  of  the  reader.  It 
is  impossible  to  suppress  all  fictitious  writings,  or  to  restrain 
young  people  from  reading  them;  is  it  not  then  the  dictate  of 
wisdom  to  provide  them  with  such  as  are  not  only  innocent  but 

■^  instructive?  Is  not  this  the  most  probable  method  of  weaning 
'our  young  people  from  the  fondness  for  novel-reading?  the  ef- 
fects of  which  are  sometimes  so  fatal,  and  most  commonly  in- 
jurious. But,  I  am  aware,  that  the  land  of  fiction  is  a  dangerous 
ground  to  travel  over.  There  is  no  species  of  writing  so  liable 
to  abuse;  and  none  so  difficult  to  execute  with  judgment.     The 

^^.imagination,  when  indulged,  is  prone  to  extravagance;  and  is  as 
liable  to  become  wild  on  religious  subjects,  as  any  others.  A 
vivid  fancy  is  often  without  the  guidance  of  sound  judgment 

>  ..  and  correct  taste;  and  when  a  writer  begins  to  feel  a  deep  in- 
terest in  the  personages  of  his  own  imagination,  the  great  end 
of  writing  is  apt  to  be  forgotten,  and  the  narrative  be  so  woven, 
as  to  create  interest  and  afford  pleasure,  rather  than  to  convey 


22 

moral  instruction.  It  should  also  be  remembered,  that  fictitious 
writuigs  should  never  be  permitted  to  form  the  principal  read- 
ing of  the  young;  and  they  should  be  prepared  with  much  judg- 
ment and  care,  and  used  with  great  caution.  A  judicious  parent 
will  not  refuse  to  indulge  his  child,  occasionally  and  moderately, 
with  wholesome  sweetmeats,  creams,  and  comfits;  but  who 
would  think  it  wise  to  feed  him  with  nothing  else?  Just  so, 
writings  of  this  description  may  be  useful  to  interest  young 
people,  and  to  form  a  taste  for  books  in  those  in  whom  it  does 
not  naturally  exist,  and  to  convey  moral  instruction  in  a  grateful 
vehicle;  but  the  books  commonly  used,  should  be  of  a  more 
solid  and  didactic  kind. 

Upon  the  whole,  then,  I  would  give  it  as  my  opinion,  that 
while  fictitious  works  should  not  be  altogether  proscribed,  they 
should  not  form  a  large  proportion  of  the  books  issued  from  the 
Depository;  and  that  in  the  selection  of  those  to  be  put  into 
the  hands  of  children,  the  utmost  caution  should  be  used.  It 
would  be  a  real  loss  to  the  rising  generation,  to  call  in  all  the  de- 
lightful and  instructive  little  stories  of  Mrs.  Sherwood  and  Miss 
Edgeworth.  Who  would  object  to  the  "  Shepherd  of  Salisbury 
Plain,"  or  other  stories  of  Miss  Hannah  More,  in  the  "Cheap 
Repository,"  because  they  are  not  real  histories?  For  a  long 
time  it  was  commonly  supposed,  that  that  tract  of  unrivalled 
excellence,  "The  Dairyman's  Daughter,"  was  a  fictitious  story; 
and  now,  when  it  is  known,  from  the  best  authority,  that  it  con- 
tains a  history  of  real  facts,  its  effect  is  probably  no  greater  than 
before;  although  it  affords  us  much  pleasure  to  be  assured,  that 
the  persons  in  whom  we  have  taken  so  lively  an  interest,  did 
actually  exist.  One  thing,  in  my  opinion,  ought  faithfully  to  be 
done  by  authors:  they  should  inform  their  readers  whether  the 
personages  and  occurrences  of  their  narratives,  are  real,  or  ficti- 
tious; for  whatever  be  said  of  the  lawfulness  of  fictitious  wri- 
ting, it  never  can  be  consistent  with  truth,  to  palm  on  the  public 
a  tale  of  the  Imagination  for  historic  truth. 

It  may  occur  to  some,  that  there  does  not  exist  sufficient  se- 
curity, that  the  books  selected  for  publication  will  uniformly  be 
of  the  proper  character.  It  may  be  alleged,  that  the  committee 
of  publication,  consisting  of  gentlemen  engaged  in  secular  busi- 


23 

ness,  who  can  only  devote  their  leisure  hours  to  the  examina 
tion  of  books,  there  is  reason  to  apprehend,  that  an  injudicious 
selection  will  often  be  made.  And,  moreover,  it  may  be  thought, 
that  as  clergymen,  as  a  class,  are  better  acquainted  with  reli- 
gious books,  and  better  judges  of  their  adaptation  to  be  useful 
to  the  rising  generation,  than  any  other  description  of  men, 
that  it  would  be  wise  to  submit  all  contemplated  works  to  them 
for  their  opinion  and  advice,  before  publication.  To  which  I 
would  reply,  that  several  of  this  committee  are  men  of  liberal 
education,  and  are  so  situated  as  to  have  it  in  their  power  to  de- 
vote much  of  their  time  to  this  interesting  work.  Moreover, 
they  have  constantly,  the  aid  and  advice  of  the  Corresponding 
Secretary  of  the  Society,  and  of  the  Editor  of  the  Magazine, 
who  are  not  only  pious,  but  literary  men,  whose  whole  time  is 
devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  Union.  But  still,  I  am  pleased 
to  find  that  the  public  mind  is  awake  to  the  importance  of  this 
subject,  because  it  is  evident,  that  the  same  power  of  multiply- 
ing and  distributing  books  which  is  calculated,  under  a  wise 
direction,  to  be  the  means  of  so  much  good,  is  equally  capable, 
under  a  different  guidance,  to  become  an  engine  of  incalculable 
evil.  It  gives  me  pleasure,  therefore,  to  have  it  in  my  power  to 
state,  that  the  committee  are  so  deeply  sensible  of  the  high  re- 
sponsibility of  their  office,  and  of  their  own  liableness  to  error, 
that  they  have  been  in  the  habit  of  subjecting  those  works,  con- 
cerning which  there  could  be  any  doubt,  to  the  judgment  of 
men  in  whose  opinion  the  religious  public  repose  the  greatest 
confidence.  And  it  is  still  their  wish  and  purpose,  as  far  as  pos- 
sible, to  avail  themselves  of  the  suggestions  and  counsels  of  such 
men,  both  of  the  clergy  and  laity;  so  as  to  secure,  as  far  as 
human  frailty  will  permit,  the  selection  of  those  books  for  pub- 
lication, which  will  be  best  adapted  to  promote  the  edification 
of  all  who  read  them. 

I  will  now  proceed  freely  to  inquire,  whether  the  system  of 
instruction  in  Sunday-schools  admits  of  any  improvement  or 
enlargement.  And  here,  before  I  go  farther,  I  would  remark, 
that  my  observations  on  this  subject  must  be  considered  theo- 
retical, rather  than  practical :  but  the  benefit  of  theory  is,  that  it 
often  suggests  what,  in  practice,  is  found  to  be  easiest  and  best. 


24 

Again,  I  would  observe,  that  it  is  not  contemplated  as  practica-' 
ble  that  the  whole  system  which  I  am  about  to  delineate  should 
be  every  where  introduced;  or  that  it  should  be  carried  into 
complete  effect,  any  where,  immediately.  Improvements  in  such 
institutions  require  time  and  experience;  and  I  doubt  not,  that, 
in  some  resgects,  better  plans  and  arrangements  than  those  here 
specified  will  be  discovered.  My  object  will  be  accomplished 
if  improvements  be  commenced;  and  in  some  measure  answer- 
ed, if  I  can  succeed  in  turning  the  public  attention  to  the  sub- 

It  appears  to  me,  then,  that  the  system  of  Sunday-school  in*!?  ' 
struction  might  be  greatly  enlarged,  both  as  it  relates  to  the 
pupils  received  under  their  tuition,  and  as  it  relates  to  the  sub- 
jects of  instruction.      In  regard  to  the  former,  my  plan  would"l"i. 
be  so  large  as  to  include  all  persons  who  need  instruction,  from 
the  infant  of  two  years,  up  to  the  man  of  a  hundred  years  of 
age.     Infant  schools  are  now  in  a  rapid  progress  of  being  esta- ,  ^r 
blished,  and  they  are  filling  the  minds  of  the  Christian  and  phi-^A 
lanthropist  with  pleasure  and  surprise.     And  there  is  no  reason 
why  there  should  not  be  Sabbath-schools  for  infants  as  well  as 
for  children  of  greater  age.     In  giving  instruction,  age  should 
make  no  distinction.     Infant  schools  should  therefore  be  a  re- 
gular part  of  the  Sunday-school  system.     It  is  true,  they  are 
kept  through  the  week;  and  so  are   other  schools;  but  their*^) 
teachers,  during  the  week,  may  give  them  no  religious  instruc- 
tion.    If  the  American  Union  does  not  gather  these  tender  lit- 
tle ones  under  her  fostering  wing,  they  may  fall  into  the  clutches 
of  those  who  will  seek  to  devour  them;  their  infant  minds  may**  d 
be  made  to  imbibe  the  poison  of  error,  instead  of  the  sincere 
milk  of  the  word. 

Again, — the  Sunday-school  system  ought  to  embrace  all  those 
youth  who  are  included  in  Bible  classes.  There  never  can  be 
any  definite  line  of  distinction  drawn  between  the  appropriate 
studies  of  Sunday-schools  and  Bible  classes.  In  practice,  all  dis- 
tinction is  already  confounded;  and  why  should  the  instructions 
of  Sunday-schools  stop  at  a  particular  point?  Why  not  instruct 
the  pupils  as  long  as  they  are  willing  to  remain?  The  objections 
that  might  be  conceived  to  this  amalgamation  will,  1  trust,  be 


25 

©bviated  by  the  plan  which  will  be  submitted  immediately  for 
consideration. 

But  I  would  not  confine  the  instruction  of  Sunday-schools 
to  youth;  I  would  have  it  extended  to  all  who  are  willing  to  be 
taught.  The  fact  is,  that  multitudes  of  adults  need  instruction 
as  much  as  the  youth;  and  many  would  be  delighted  to  have 
the  opportunity  of  learning.  Pride  and  false  modesty  would 
prevent  some  from  coming  forward,  lest  their  ignorance  should 
become  manifest;  but  I  would  spread  a  mantle  over  their  weak- 
ness, and  devise  a  method  of  instruction  which  would  require 
from  adults  nothing  else  but  to  hear,  with  the  privilege  of  ask- 
ing questions  as  often  as  they  might  be  disposed  to  do  so. 

Having  developed  my  plan  for  the  enlargement  of  the  sys- 
tem, as  respects  the  pupils,  I  will  add,  that  the  execution  would 
require  a  correspondent  enlargement  in  regard  to  teachers.  It 
would  require  that  the  pastor  and  his  coadjutors,  by  whatever 
name  called,  should  all  become  active  teachers  in  these  institu- 
tions. My  idea  is,  that  the  whole  church  should  form  one  great 
Sabbath-school,  and  that  all  the  people  should  be  disciples  or 
teachers;  or  sometimes  the  one  and  sometimes  the  other,  ac- 
cording to  circumstances.  Knowledge,  .like  wealth,  is  not  ac- 
quired merely  for  ourselves;  it  should  be  like  the  light  of  a 
candle,  for  the  benefit  of  all  in  the  house.  Every  man  and  wo- 
man is  under  sacred  obligations  to  teach  those  more  ignorant 
than  themselves.  There  is  no  good  reason  why  the  instruction 
of  Sunday-schools  should  be  confined  to  a  few  young  people, 
as  is  commonly  the  case.  Let  the  aged  fathers  and  mothers, 
who  have  been  learning  for  more  than  half  a  century,  impart 
of  the  rich  stores  of  their  experience  to  the  young.  Let  the 
learned,  if  there  be  such  in  the  parish,  not  disdain  to  instruct 
in  the  higher  branches  of  liberal  knowledge;  and,  especially, 
let  the  pastor  consider  the  Sabbath-school  as  one  principal  field 
of  his  labours.  Here  the  whole  work  of  catechising,  and  of 
instructing  Bible  classes,  may  be  advantageously  performed. 
Here  he  may  preach  to  the  young,  far  more  effectually  than 
from  the  pulpit. 

But  it  is  time  that  I  should  developc  the  proposed  plan,  as  it 
respects  the  enlargement  of  the  studies  pursued  in  these  schools. 


26 

This  has  already  been  hinted  at  in  speaking  of  Bible  classes;  but 
I  will  now  enter  more  into  detail.  After  mature  deliberation, 
I  am  of  opinion,  that  all  the  pupils  who  can  ever  be  taught  in 
Sunday-schools,  might  be  conveniently  arranged  into  six  dif- 
ferent classes;  and  supposing  a  child  to  enter  the  first  or  lowest 
class,  and  to  go  through  the  whole  system,  he  would  rise,  by  re- 
gular gradations,  through  the  whole  of  the  six  classes  in  succes- 
sion. 

The  first  class  would  include  infants  and  others,  who  were 
learning  to  spell  and  read. 

The  second  class,  such  children  as  were  able  to  read,  but  not 
sufficiently  advanced  in  age  and  intellect,  to  study  the  lessons 
contained  in  the  prepared  books  of  questions.  These  children 
should  be  furnished  with  a  simple,  historical  catechism,  contain- 
ing questions  and  answers;  and  also  plain  moral  precepts,  with 
a  reference  to  the  retributions  of  eternity.     . 

The  third  class  should  embrace  all  children  and  others  who 
are  capable  of  learning  the  select  lessons:  in  short,  most  of 
those  who  now  attend  Sabbath-schools. 

The  fourth  class  should  comprehend  all  those  who  have  gone 
over  the  selected  lessons  which  relate  principally  to  historical 
passages;  and  they  should  be/urnished  with  a  similar  book  of 
selected  lessons  relating  to  the  doctrines  and  moral  precepts  of 
the  Bible.  Their  answers  to  these  doctrinal  questions  ought  to 
be  in  the  words  of  Scripture.  After  which,  they  should  learn 
the  catechism  of  the  church  to  which  they  belong,  with  such 
explanatory  lectures,  or  exposition,  as  might  be  provided. 

The  fifth  class  would  consist  of  such  young  persons  as  are 
commonly  included  in  Bible  classes,  who  would  be  instructed 
in  the  emblems,  figures,  parables,  types,  and  most  remarkable 
prophecies  of  Scripture.  This  would  include  Biblical  antiqui- 
ties, and  many  other  interesting  matters  which  do  not  fall  under 
that  denomination;  especially  a  short  system  of  sacred  geogra- 
phy, and  a  concise  and  perspicuous  view  of  the  collateral  his- 
tory of  the  Bible:  by  which  I  mean,  such  historical  facts  as  are 
referred  to  in  the  Scriptures,  or  may  serve  to  elucidate  the  sa- 
cred history. 

The  sixth  class  should  be  instructed  carefully  in  the  evidence* 
of  divine  revelation,  external  and  internal ;  in  the  nature  and 


27 

proof  of  divine  inspiration;  and  in  the  history  and  canonical 
authority  of  all  the  books  contained  in  the  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ments; together  with  the  reasons  for  rejecting  apocryphal  books 
of  every  description. 

The  obvious  objection  to  this  system  is,  that  it  is  too  much 
extended:  but  is  there  any  one  thing  included  in  it  which  every 
intelligent  Christian  ought  not  to  know?  Is  there  any  part  of 
this  system,  which,  in  a  regular  course  of  Christian  instruction, 
can  be  dispensed  with?  And  if  we  cannot  communicate  as  much 
religious  instruction  as  is  desirable,  that  need  not  hinder  us  from 
forming  a  complete  system,  and  from  carrying  it  into  effect  as 
far  as  we  can.  It  cannot,  indeed,  be  expected  that  all,  or  even 
a  majority  of  scholars,  will  go  through  the  whole  course;  but 
some  will  be  found  willing  to  do  so;  and  as  the  value  of  Bibli- 
cal knowledge  comes  to  be  more  highly  appreciated,  the  num- 
ber of  thorough,  persevering  scholars  will  increase  every  year. 

Another  objection  to  a  plan  of  instruction  so  extended  is,  that 
competent  teachers  cannot  be  obtained  to  communicate  instruc- 
tion on  all  the  points  mentioned.  The  answer  to  this  objection 
has  already  been  given  in  part,  when  we  spoke  of  the  part 
which  it  was  expected  the  pastor  and  other  well  informed  per- 
sons in  the  parish  would  takfe,  in  the  instruction  of  Sunday- 
schools.  To  which  I  will  now  add,  that  with  a  proper  apparatus 
of  suitable  books,  on  the  subjects  mentioned,  some  of  which  are 
now  in  readiness,  and  others  are  in  a  course  of  being  prepared 
by  the  American  Sunday-School  Union,  there  will  be  found  no 
great  difficulty  in  carrying  the  plan  Into  full  accomplishment. 

Moreover,  if  we  create  a  demand  for  teachers  of  higher  at- 
tainments than  are  now  needed,  many  of  those  already  in  office 
will  take  much  pains  to  prepare  themselves  for  this  work;  and 
thus  the  extension  of  the  plan  of  instruction  will  have  a  most 
favourable  effect  on  tlie  Improvement  of  many  young  persons 
of  both  sexes,  wlio  are  now  devoted  to  this  employment. 

Besides,  it  would  be  one  advantage  of  this  plan,  that  those 
teachers  who  should  instruct  the  three  lower  classes,  might  be 
scholars  in  the  tlirec  higher,  if  such  an  arrangement  should  be 
made  as  would  allow  of  the  lower  classes  reciting  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  the  higher  in  the  afternoon  or  evening. 

If,  for  examplp,  in  villages  and  the  country,  the  Sabbath- 


28 

schools  should  meet  at  9  o'clock  in  the  morning,  at  which  time 
the  three  younger  classes  would  be  instructed,  and  at  which  the 
attendance  of  the  pastor  ought  not  to  be  expected.  Supposing^ 
then,  tlie  publip  service  to  commence,  as  is  usual,  at  11  o'clocky 
the  children  might  all  attend  in  the  church,  under  the  inspec- 
tion of  their  teachers;  but  let  the  afternoon  be  devoted  entirely 
to  the  instruction  of  the  higher  classes  and  of  adults,  at  which 
time  let  the  pastor  and  his  assistants  attend,  and  aid  in  the 
instruction  of  the  school.  And  it  may  here  be  remarked,  that 
however  numerous  the  schools  may  be  for  younger  children  in 
the  morning,  it  would  generally  be  expedient  that  all  the  teachers 
and  advanced  scholars  should  meet  together  in  the  church,  or 
some  other  central  place,  in  the  afternoon  y  because  this  descrip- 
tion of  learners  will  be  less  numerous  than  the  younger,  and 
the  minister  cannot  instruct  in  more  places  than  one.  This 
arrangement  would,  it  is  true,  exclude  the  afternoon  sermon 
where  such  a  service  is  usual;  but  it  would  furnish  a  substitute 
far  more  effectual  for  the  instruction  of  the  people.  In  cities 
and  large  towns  this  plan  may  not  be  considered  expedient, 
or  where  the  people  have  always  been  accustomed  to  a  regular 
afternoon  service  in  the  church;  but  if  once  the  instruction  of 
adults  as  well  as  children  was  made  a  part  of  the  exercise  of 
Sunday-schools,  it  would  be  found,  on  trial,  to  be  far  more  bene- 
ficial to  all  concerned  to  attend  these,  than  to  hear  an  additional 
sermon;  and  especially  as  the  usual  service  of  prayer  and  praise 
might  be  as  solemnly  performed  in  the  Sabbath-school  as  in  the 
church.  And  on  all  these  occasions  there  ought  to  be  some 
kind  of  lecture  delivered  by  the  pastor.  But  in  regard  to  the 
particular  arrangement,  every  congregation  could  determine  it 
best  for  themselves.  All  that  I  mean  by  the  above  observations 
is,  to  show  that  the  plan  proposed  may,  without  any  great  in- 
convenience, be  reduced  to  practice,  as  in  cities  and  large  towns 
the  evening  might  be  occupied  with  the  exercises  of  the  Sab- 
bath-schocls,  if  that  was  preferred  to  the  afternoon. 

In  regard  to  the  instruction  of  adults,  several  methods  might 
be  proposed,  which  would  render  the  service  both  pleasant  and 
profitable.  They  might  meet,  on  some  convenient  time  in  the 
week,  in  little  knots,  or  on  Sabbath  morning,  and  converse 
freely  on  the  subject  of  the  lesson  prescribed,  whatever  it  might 


29 

be;  and  in  the  time  of  the  regular  meeting  of  the  Sabbath-school, 
such  as  were  willing  might  be  questioned  by  some  elderly  per- 
son, or  by  the  pastor,  and  the  others  might  be  permitted  to  hear 
and  to  learn.  Having  studied  the  lesson,  they  would  be  nearly 
as  much  instructed  by  the  examination  of  others  as  by  their 
own;  a  plan  of  this  sort  is  now  in  operation  in  a  very  large 
and  respectable  congregation  in  New-Jersey.  But  should  none 
of  adult  age  consent  to  be  publicly  catechised,  it  need  create  no 
discouragement;  for  the  jjastor,  or  other  teacher,  might  pro- 
pound the  questions  and  answer  them  himself,  allowing  all 
persons  freely  to  make  any  inquiry,  or  ask  for  any  explanation. 
It  is  scarcely  conceivable  what  a  spring  this  practice  would  im- 
part to  the  minds  of  the  people,  which  are  commonly  left  to 
stagnate;  and  as  it  would  undoubtedly  increase  their  knowledge, 
so  it  would  add  much  to  their  happiness,  by  leading  them  to 
shake  off  that  inertness  which  is  so  unfavourable  to  real  enjoy- 
ment. It  is  not  necessary,  however,  to  establish  any  uniform 
method  for  the  instruction  of  adults;  what  would  be  well  suited 
to  one  people,  would  not  be  adapted  to  another:  a  judicious  pas- 
tor would  be  able  to  regulate  this  matter  in  his  own  flock.  Let 
the  experiment  be  fairly  made,  and  if  it  do  not  result  in  much 
good,  I  shall  confess  myself  disappointed. 

6.  The  only  other  subject  on  which  I  wish  to  make  any  re- 
marks, is  that  of  agents  and  auxiliaries.  To  carry  into  full  effect 
the  plans  of  the  American  Sunday-school  Union,  many  prudent, 
industrious,  and  persevering  agents,  will  be  requisite.  It  has 
hitherto  been  common  to  look  to  the  profession  of  the  ministry 
alone  for  agents;  but  experience  teaches,  that  they  cannot  be 
supplied  in  sufficient  numbers  from  that  quarter;  and  consider- 
ing the  want  and  importunate  demand  for  preachers  in  the  des- 
titute regions  of  our  country,  they  ought  not,  except  in  extra- 
ordinary cases,  to  relinquish  the  appropriate  duties  of  their 
office  to  become  agents  for  this  or  any  other  society.  Here  the 
question  meets  us,  whether  pious,  active,  and  judicious  laymen 
would  not  answer  for  Sunday-school  agents  as  well,  and  in  some 
respects  better,  than  clergymen?  Of  this,  I  have  myself  no 
doubt.  But,  can  they  be  obtained?  Why  not?  There  are  scores 
of  young  men  in  our  principal  cities  who  have  been  long  expe- 
rienced in  conducting  Sunday-schools,  and  who  take  a  deep  in- 


30 

terest  in  their  furtherance  and  prosperity.  Undoubtedly  some 
of  these  zealous  men  will  cheerfully  offer  their  services  as  soon 
as  the  door  shall  be  opened  for  their  employment.  I  know, 
indeed,  that  on  their  part  it  would  require  a  sacrifice  of  worldly 
prospects  for  the  sake  of  Christ  and  his  cause:  but,  I  ask,  are 
they  unwilling  to  make  this  sacrifice?  I  should  be  grieved  to 
think,  that  that  was  the  fact.  Why  should  it  be  required  of 
ministers  alone  to  exercise  self-denial,  and  make  sacrifices  for 
the  promotion  of  the  Redeemer's  lyngdom?  Did  Christ  give 
one  set  of  terms  to  ministers  and  another  to  private  Christians? 
Or  rather  did  he  not  require  of  every  disciple  the  same  disposi- 
tion to  deny  himself  and  to  renounce  the  world,  by  taking  up 
his  cross  and  following  him?  It  cannot  reasonably  be  supposed, 
that  the  employment  of  pious  laymen  on  agencies  will  in  any 
way  infringe  on  the  sacred  office  of  the  ministry.  He  will  have 
nothing  to  do  with  the  peculiar  duties  of  a  preacher.  He  must 
often,  indeed,  give  public  statements  to  the  people,  and  it  may 
often  be  convenient  to  use  the  pulpit  for  this  purpose;  but  an 
exhibition  of  the  views  and  plans  of  the  American  Union  will 
no  more  interfere  with  the  duties  of  those  ordained  to  the  sa- 
cred office,  than  speaking  at  the  bar,  or  in  the  senate.  And  as 
there  does  exist  a  jealousy  among  the  several  denominations,  or 
at  least  among  some  who  belong  to  them,  respectively,  it  might 
have  some  tendency  to  obviate  the  difficulty  which  has  been  felt 
on  this  point,  if  well  qualified  laymen  should  be  commissioned 
as  agents. 

In  regard  to  auxiliaries,  it  seems  to  me,  that  at  present  the 
organization  of  the  Union  is  very  incomplete.  Their  con- 
nexion with  the  parent,  or  central  society  is  by  far  too  loose  and 
undefined,  to  enable  the  whole  body  to  exert  that  energy  which 
she  would  be  capable  with  a  more  perfect  organization.  One 
thing  is  clear,  that  all  the  agents  of  the  auxiliaries  ought  to  be 
appointed  by  the  Board  of  the  American  Union,  and  should  be 
amenable  to  this  body.  Unless  it  is  intended  to  carry  on  the 
operations  of  Sunday-schools  by  societies  perfectly  independent 
of  each  other,  something  ought  to  be  done  speedily  to  draw  the 
bands  of  connexion  closer,  to  enable  the  General  Union  to  aid 
more  effectively  the  exertions  of  the  auxiliaries;  and  to  render 
the  auxiliaries  in  fact,  what  they  are  in  name,  aids  to  the  parent 


31 

society  in  her  arduous  and  extended  operations.  But  while  local 
societies  appoint  agents  to  traverse  large  portions  of  country, 
and  carry  on  their  measures  without  consulting  or  even  inform- 
ing the  American  Union  of  their  plans  and  operations,  it  is  just 
the  same  as  if  there  existed  no  connexion  whatever.  As  far  as 
I  can  learn,  there  is  not  even  any  systematized  plan  of  increas- 
ing the  funds  of  the  general  society  by  the  numerous  auxilia- 
ries. It  would  require  more  wisdom  and  more  time  than  the 
writer  can  command,  to  devise  an  effective  plan  of  union  and  co- 
operation between  the  general  society  and  its  auxiliaries.  All 
I  intended  was,  to  bring  the  subject  before  the  public;  and  I  do 
solemnly  hope,  that  it  will  engage  the  earnest  attention  of  the 
General  Union,  and  of  all  the  local  Unions  in  the  land. 

And  now  I  would  appeal  to  the  pious  and  benevolent  of  all 
denominations,  to  say  whether  this  Institution,  so  extensive  in 
its  operations,  so  multiplied  in  its  ramifications,  and  so  beneficial 
to  all  classes  of  society  in  its  results,  shall  be  cramped  or  re- 
tarded in  its  career  of  usefulness  for  want  of  adequate  pecuniary 
aid?  Seldom,  since  its  earliest  existence,  has  the  American  Sun- 
day-School Union  made  any  appeal  to  the  public  for.this  species 
of  aid:  the  operations  of  this  society  have  been,  not  to  draw 
any  thing  from  the  people,  but  to  confer  benefits  upon  them; 
and  still  it  contemplates  no  other  system;  for  while  tens  of 
thousands  are,  every  week,  deriving  rich  blessings  from  the  In- 
stitution, those  persons  engaged  in  managing  it  give  the  strong- 
est possible  evidence  of  disinterestedness; — personal  emolument, 
or  advantage  they  neither  expect  nor  are  willing  to  receive. 
Now,  it  is  evident  that  the  principal  burden  of  sustaining  an  in- 
stitution in  which  the  whole  community  have  so  deep  an  in- 
terest, ought  not  to  devolve  upon  a  few  persons:  but,  hitherto, 
this  has  been  very  much  the  case.  When  it  is  considered  how 
small  a  sum  from  every  Sunday-school,  or  even  from  every  aux- 
iliary, regularly  forwarded, annually,  to  the  parent  society,  would 
enable  them  not  only  to  carry  on,  but  greatly  to  enlarge  their 
operations,  especially  in  the  publishing  department,  I  cannot 
persuade  myself  that  there  will  be  found  any  reluctance  in  the 
public  to  contribute  the  funds  requisite  for  the  energetic  and  ex- 
tensive operation  of  this  powerful  engine  for  doing  good.  There 
can  be  no  doubt,  that  the  American  Sunday-School  Union  is 


32 

highly  in  favour  with  all  the  friends  of  religion  and  sound  mo- 
rality in  our  country.     Perhaps  no  other  institution  has  so  uni- 
-  versally  conciliated  the  affections  of  the  people.   It  is  with  con- 
fidence, therefore,  that  I  make  this  appeal  to  the  public,  to  render 
promptly  and  liberally  all  the  pecuniary  aid  which  is  needed. 
No  permanent  funds  are  contemplated  by  the  society.     What- 
ever sums  may  be  received  will  be  immediately  applied  to  the 
important  purposes  of  sustaining  and  enlarging  the  system  of 
Sunday-schools.     That  I  am  not  mistaken  in  supposing  that  the 
society  needs  pecuniary  aid,  is  evident  from  the  fact  revealed  at 
the  last  Anniversary  by  the  worthy  President  of  the  American 
Sunday-School  Union,  that  the  Treasurer  of  the  Institution  was 
^17,000  in  advance  for  the  Union.     It  is  true,  indeed,  that  the 
sums  due  to  the  Institution  are  considerably  more  than  what 
they  owe,  but  these  are  widely  scattered,  and  the  collection  of 
them  very  slow.     For  their  valuable  building,  the  Union  is  in- 
debted almost  entirely  to  the  liberality  of  a  few  devoted  friends 
in  the  city  of  Philadelphia:  but  a  large  part  of  the  purchase 
money  of  this  property  is  still  due.     From  this  brief  statement 
of  facts,  it  will  be  evident  to  all  the  friends  of  Sunday-schools 
in  our  country,  that  the  time  has  arrived  when  it  has  become  an 
imperious  duty  for  the  Christian  public  to  step  forward  and  re- 
lieve the  Board  from  their  pressing  embarrassments,  and  to  take 
effectual  measures  to  prevent  the  recurrence  of  the  same  in 
future. 

In  conclusion,  I  have  only  to  say,  that  the  more  I  reflect  on 
the  power  and  salutary  influence  of  the  Sunday-school  system, 
the  more  am  I  convinced,  that  it  has  been  raised  up  by  a  benig- 
nant Providence  to  be  one  of  the  most  effective  engines  in  over- 
throwing the  kingdom  of  Satan,  and  promoting  a  general  refor- 
mation in  society,  especially  in  that  class  of  people  who  have 
evaded  the  influence  of  other  means  of  improvjement.  If  what 
1  have  written  may  conti-ibute  in  some  small  degree  to  the  fur- 
therance of  this  good  cause,  I  shall  think  that  my  time  was  well 
employed,  and  that  I  have  received  a  rich  remuneration  for  my 
labour. 


1 


